The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has instructed Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) to allow telecom operators to establish their own network infrastructure at the Navi Mumbai International Airport, citing the provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
In a letter addressed in February 2026 to AAHL CEO Arun Bansal, the DoT noted that it had received a representation from the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which highlighted challenges faced by licensed telecom service providers (TSPs) in deploying infrastructure at the airport, developed and operated by Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited. Moneycontrol has reviewed a copy of the letter.
The representation, dated December 30, 2025, stated that Right of Way (RoW) approvals had not been granted to telcos seeking to install their own equipment within airport premises. Instead, operators were directed to use a single in-building telecom network, with fees that industry participants described as “unreasonably high.”
The DoT clarified that, under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the Navi Mumbai International Airport qualifies as a “public entity” for the purposes of the Act and related rules. Consequently, it falls under the statutory framework governing RoW approvals for licensed facility providers, including telecom companies.
The department emphasized that the Telecommunications Act, 2023, along with the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024, requires a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory procedure for processing RoW applications, specifying timelines and conditions for approvals. “In view of the above, you are requested to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024 while processing applications for grant of RoW permissions within your premises,” the DoT stated, urging AAHL to facilitate telecom infrastructure in line with the law.
The directive comes as the Navi Mumbai airport — one of India’s largest greenfield airport projects — nears operationalisation. Industry experts note that allowing independent telecom networks from the outset is vital to ensure uninterrupted connectivity for passengers, airlines, and airport operations.
Source: Money Control
